Miswiring inspection device

Abstract

To provide a miswiring inspection device capable of preventing misdiagnosis caused by inflow of current.SOLUTION: The miswiring inspection device determines the presence or absence of a resistance value and phase difference on the basis of the measured voltage and measured current whilst an AC signal is applied by an AC generation circuit. If the resistance value is equal to or greater than a set value, the miswiring inspection device does not drive a first notification circuit and a second notification circuit. If the resistance value is below the set value and no phase difference exists, the miswiring inspection device makes a notification about the miswiring inspection result in a first mode by driving the first notification circuit without driving the second notification circuit. If the resistance value is below the set value and a phase difference exists, the miswiring inspection device makes a notification about the miswiring inspection result in a second mode by driving the second notification circuit without driving the first notification circuit. The AC generation circuit periodically switches the frequency of an AC signal alternately between the first frequency and the second frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique relating to a wiring error inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A miswiring inspection device is a device used to inspect electrical circuits, such as distribution boards, panelboards, and control panels, for the presence or absence of miswiring. In miswiring inspection, a problem occurs when components with relatively low DC resistance, such as transformers, motors, and semiconductors, are connected in parallel to the circuit under test, resulting in misdiagnosis due to sneak current. Patent Document 1 describes a miswiring inspection device that includes an oscillator circuit that oscillates when the impedance of the circuit under test is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and generates a buzzer sound using this oscillator circuit, in order to prevent misdiagnosis due to sneak current. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-17263 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in the miswiring inspection device from the viewpoint of preventing misdiagnosis due to sneak current. In particular, the miswiring inspection device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it requires skill to judge the inspection results because it notifies the presence or absence of continuity, resistance, coils, and capacitors by the tone and change of the buzzer sound. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present disclosure provides a wiring mismatch inspection device for inspecting an electric circuit for wiring mismatch, the wiring mismatch inspection device comprising: a first probe configured to be electrically conductive upon contact with a first measurement point in the electric circuit; a second probe configured to be electrically conductive upon contact with a second measurement point paired with the first measurement point in the electric circuit; an AC generating circuit generating an AC signal to be applied to the first probe; a voltage measuring circuit measuring a voltage between the first and second probes; a current measuring circuit measuring a current flowing through the second probe; a first notification circuit reporting the result of the wiring mismatch inspection in a first manner; a second notification circuit reporting the result of the wiring mismatch inspection in a second manner different from the first manner; a processor; and a memory for storing program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by the processor, the miswiring inspection device determines the resistance between the first measurement point and the second measurement point and the presence or absence of a phase difference between the measured voltage and the measured current based on the measured voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit and the measured current measured by the current measurement circuit while the AC signal is applied to the first probe by the AC generating circuit. If the resistance is equal to or greater than a set value, the miswiring inspection device does not drive the first alarm circuit or the second alarm circuit. If the resistance is less than the set value and no phase difference exists, the miswiring inspection device does not drive the second alarm circuit but drives the first alarm circuit to report the miswiring inspection result in the first manner. If the resistance is less than the set value and a phase difference exists, the miswiring inspection device does not drive the first alarm circuit but drives the second alarm circuit to report the miswiring inspection result in the second manner. The AC generating circuit periodically alternates the frequency of the AC signal between a first frequency and a second frequency that are different from each other while applying the AC signal to the first probe.This type of miswiring inspection device can report the inspection result "continuity" in a first manner when there is no phase difference and the resistance value is less than a set value, while reporting the inspection result "sneak current" in a second manner when there is a phase difference but the resistance value is less than the set value. Furthermore, this type of miswiring inspection device periodically alternates the frequency of the AC signal between a first frequency and a second frequency that are different from each other, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting sneak current through coils and capacitors. Furthermore, this type of miswiring inspection device periodically alternates the frequency of the AC signal between the first frequency and the second frequency that are different from each other, thereby reporting that the device is near the boundary where sneak current through coils and capacitors can be detected by alternately switching on and off the second manner.

[0007] (2) In the above-described wiring mismatch inspection device, the first notification circuit may be a sound generating unit that outputs sound in the first mode, and the second notification circuit may be a light-emitting unit that outputs visible light in the second mode. This wiring mismatch inspection device can notify the test result of "continuity" by sound when there is no phase difference and the resistance value is less than a set value, and can notify the test result of "sneak current" by visible light when there is a phase difference but the resistance value is less than the set value. This allows the user to recognize the test result of "continuity" by sound without moving their eyes from the first and second probes they are holding. Furthermore, when the test result is "non-continuity" and there is no sound, the user can confirm that the test result is "sneak current" by checking the visible light from the light-emitting unit.

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms other than a wiring error inspection device, such as a component of a wiring error inspection device or a wiring error inspection method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the external configuration of a faulty wiring inspection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the faulty wiring inspection device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an AC generation process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a faulty wiring inspection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a wiring error inspection device 10. The wiring error inspection device 10 is a device used for wiring error inspection, which checks for the presence or absence of wiring errors in electrical circuits such as distribution boards, panel boards, and control panels. The wiring error inspection device 10 includes a housing 100, a power switch 110, an LED unit 120, a buzzer unit 310, an LED unit 320, a probe 210, a cable 215, a probe 220, and a cable 225.

[0011] The housing 100 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a box that houses the main components of the wiring error inspection device 10. The housing 100 is sized so that a user can hold it in one hand.

[0012] The power switch 110 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a switch that accepts an instruction input from the user to start the wiring error inspection device 10. In this embodiment, the power switch 110 is a slide switch.

[0013] The LED unit 120 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a device that outputs visible light that indicates the power on / off state of the wiring error inspection device 10. The LED unit 120 is turned off when the power is off. The LED unit 120 lights up in green when the power is on. The LED unit 120 lights up in red when the power supply voltage drops.

[0014] The buzzer unit 310 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a device that outputs an electronic sound. The buzzer unit 310 functions as a first notification circuit that notifies the result of the wiring error inspection in a first manner. The notification manner by the buzzer unit 310 will be described in detail later.

[0015] The LED unit 320 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a device that outputs visible light. In this embodiment, the LED unit 320 outputs orange visible light. The LED unit 320 functions as a second notification circuit that notifies the result of the wiring error inspection in a second manner different from the first manner. Details of the notification manner by the LED unit 320 will be described later.

[0016] Probe 210 of wiring fault inspection device 10 is a first probe configured to be able to establish electrical continuity by contacting a first measurement point in the electrical circuit to be inspected. Cable 215 of wiring fault inspection device 10 is an electric wire that physically and electrically connects probe 210 to the circuit housed in housing 100.

[0017] Probe 220 of wiring fault inspection device 10 is a second probe configured to be able to make electrical contact with a second measurement point that is paired with a first measurement point in the electrical circuit to be inspected. Cable 225 of wiring fault inspection device 10 is an electric wire that physically and electrically connects probe 220 to the circuit housed in housing 100.

[0018] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the wiring error inspection device 10. The wiring error inspection device 10 includes various circuits housed in the housing 100, such as a processor 410, a memory 420, a power supply circuit 500, an AC generating circuit 510, a voltage measuring circuit 520, and a current measuring circuit 530.

[0019] The processor 410 of the wiring error inspection device 10 controls each part of the wiring error inspection device 10 by executing a plurality of program instructions contained in the memory 420 stored therein.

[0020] The memory 420 of the wiring error inspection device 10 stores data handled by the processor 410. The number of processors 410 may be one or more. The memory 420 stores an AC generation program 421 and a wiring error inspection program 422, which describe program instructions to be executed by the processor 410. The AC generation program 421 is a computer program for controlling the AC generation circuit 510. The wiring error inspection program 422 is a computer program for implementing wiring error inspection.

[0021] The power supply circuit 500 of the wiring fault inspection device 10 is a circuit that supplies power to various circuits of the wiring fault inspection device 10. The power supply circuit 500 supplies power when the power switch 110 is on. The power supply circuit 500 stops supplying power when the power switch 110 is off. In this embodiment, the power supply circuit 500 is a circuit that supplies power from a battery attached to the wiring fault inspection device 10. In other embodiments, the power supply circuit 500 may be a circuit that supplies power from an external power source.

[0022] The AC generating circuit 510 of the wiring mismatch inspection device 10 is an inverter circuit that generates the AC signal Sa to be applied to the probe 210. Based on a control signal from the processor 410, the AC generating circuit 510 periodically alternates the frequency Fa of the AC signal Sa between mutually different frequencies Fa1 and Fa2 while applying the AC signal Sa to the probe 210. In this embodiment, the frequency Fa1 is 100 Hz (Hertz), and the frequency Fa2 is 1 kHz (Kilohertz). In this embodiment, the cycle SC for switching between the frequencies Fa1 and Fa2 is 400 ms (milliseconds). The frequencies Fa1, Fa2, and SC may be set as appropriate depending on the configurations of the wiring mismatch inspection device 10 and the circuit under test.

[0023] The voltage measurement circuit 520 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a circuit that measures the voltage Vd between the probe 210 and the probe 220. The voltage measurement circuit 520 is electrically connected between the cable 215 connected to the probe 210 and the cable 225 connected to the probe 220. The voltage measurement circuit 520 outputs a signal indicating the value of the voltage Vd to the processor 410.

[0024] The current measurement circuit 530 of the wiring error inspection device 10 is a circuit that measures the current Id flowing through the probe 220. The current measurement circuit 530 is electrically connected to the cable 225 that is connected to the probe 220. The current measurement circuit 530 outputs a signal indicating the value of the current Id to the processor 410.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the AC generation process. The AC generation process in Fig. 3 is a process for controlling the AC generation circuit 510. The wiring error inspection device 10 repeatedly executes the AC generation process in Fig. 3 at predetermined timings by the processor 410 executing program instructions included in the AC generation program 421.

[0026] 3 starts, processor 410 determines whether it is time to switch the frequency Fa of AC signal Sa (step S110). If one cycle SC (400 ms in this embodiment) for switching frequency Fa has elapsed since the previous switching, processor 410 determines that it is time to switch frequency Fa. If it is not time to switch frequency Fa (step S110: "NO"), processor 410 ends the AC generation process of FIG. 3.

[0027] If it is time to switch frequency Fa (step S110: "YES"), processor 410 sets frequency Fa of AC signal Sa to a frequency different from the previously set frequency of frequency Fa1 or frequency Fa2 (step S120).

[0028] After setting the frequency Fa of the AC signal Sa (step S120), processor 410 instructs AC generating circuit 510 to start generating the AC signal Sa at the set frequency Fa (step S130). Thereafter, processor 410 ends the AC generating process of FIG. 3.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the miswiring inspection process. The miswiring inspection process of Fig. 4 is a process for realizing the miswiring inspection. The miswiring inspection device 10 repeatedly executes the miswiring inspection process of Fig. 4 at predetermined timings by the processor 410 executing program instructions included in the miswiring inspection program 422.

[0030] 4 starts, the processor 410 measures the voltage Vd and the current Id (step S210). The processor 410 measures the voltage Vd based on the output signal from the AC generating circuit 510. The processor 410 measures the current Id based on the output signal output from the current measuring circuit 530.

[0031] After measuring the voltage Vd and the current Id (step S210), the processor 410 calculates the impedance Z of the circuit under test based on the measured voltage Vd and current Id (step S220). The impedance Z is expressed by the following equation (j is the imaginary unit) using the resistance R, which is the real part (resistance value), and the reactance X, which is the imaginary part. Z=R+jX

[0032] After calculating the impedance Z (step S220), the processor 410 determines whether the resistance R, which is the real part (resistance value) of the impedance Z, is less than a threshold value Tr (step S230). In this embodiment, the threshold value Tr is 2 Ω (ohms). The value of the threshold value Tr may be set appropriately depending on the configuration of the wiring error inspection device 10 and the circuit under test.

[0033] If resistance R exceeds threshold value Tr (step S230: "NO"), processor 410 determines that the circuit under test is "non-conductive" and terminates the miswiring inspection process of Fig. 4 without outputting drive signals to buzzer unit 310 and LED unit 320 (step S280). As a result, miswiring inspection device 10 notifies "non-conductive" as the inspection result by making no sound from buzzer unit 310 and turning off LED unit 320.

[0034] If the resistance R is less than the threshold value Tr (step S230: "YES"), the processor 410 determines whether the reactance X, which is the imaginary part of the impedance Z, is "0" (step S240). In other words, the processor 410 determines whether a phase difference exists between the voltage Vd and the current Id. If an inductor (coil) is present in the circuit under test, the phase of the current Id lags behind the voltage Dv, so the reactance X takes a positive value. If a capacitor (condenser) is present in the circuit under test, the phase of the current Id leads behind the voltage Dv, so the reactance X takes a negative value.

[0035] If reactance X is "0" (step S240: "YES"), processor 410 determines that the circuit under test is "conductive" and drives buzzer unit 310 by outputting a drive signal to buzzer unit 310 (step S260). At this time, processor 410 does not output a drive signal to LED unit 320, so LED unit 320 does not operate. After driving buzzer unit 310 (step S240), processor 410 ends the miswiring inspection process of FIG. 4. As a result, miswiring inspection device 10 notifies "continuity" as the inspection result by outputting a continuous sound from buzzer unit 310 without lighting LED unit 320.

[0036] If reactance X is not "0" (step S240: "NO"), processor 410 determines that the circuit under test has "sneak current" due to an inductor (coil) or capacitor (condenser), and drives LED unit 320 by outputting a drive signal to LED unit 320 (step S270). At this time, processor 410 does not output a drive signal to buzzer unit 310, so buzzer unit 310 does not operate. After driving LED unit 320 (step S270), processor 410 ends the miswiring inspection process of FIG. 4. As a result, miswiring inspection device 10 notifies of "sneak current" as the inspection result by emitting orange visible light from LED unit 320 without outputting sound from buzzer unit 310. When the reactance X becomes "0" at one of the frequencies Fa1 and Fa2, which are the frequencies Fa of the AC signal Sa that alternate periodically, and the reactance X becomes "0" at the other frequency, the orange visible light output from the LED unit 320 will flash.

[0037] The above-described miswiring inspection device 10 can report "continuity" as an inspection result by a continuous sound from the buzzer unit 310 (first mode) when there is no phase difference (reactance X) and the resistance value (resistance R) is less than the threshold value Tr. On the other hand, when there is a phase difference but the resistance value is less than the threshold value Tr, the LED unit 320 can report "sneak current" as an inspection result by emitting light (second mode) from the LED unit 320. Furthermore, the miswiring inspection device 10 periodically alternates the frequency Fa of the AC signal Sa between the mutually different frequencies Fa1 and Fa2, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting sneak current via coils and capacitors. Furthermore, the miswiring inspection device 10 periodically alternates the frequency Fa of the AC signal Sa between the mutually different frequencies Fa1 and Fa2, thereby reporting that the device is near the boundary where sneak current via coils and capacitors can be detected by flashing the LED unit 320.

[0038] Furthermore, with the faulty wiring inspection device 10, when there is no phase difference and the resistance value is less than the threshold value Tr, the inspection result can be reported as "continuity" by sound, while when there is a phase difference but the resistance value is less than the threshold value Tr, the inspection result can be reported as "sneak current" by visible light. This allows the user to recognize that the inspection result is "continuity" by sound without moving their eyes from their hands holding the probes 210 and 220. Furthermore, when the inspection result is "non-conduction" and there is no sound, the user can confirm that the inspection result is "sneak current" by checking the visible light from the LED unit 320.

[0039] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, among the technical features of the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, those corresponding to the technical features of each form described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced and combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, technical features not described as essential in this specification can be appropriately deleted.

[0040] The wiring error inspection device 10 may switch the frequency Fa set as the AC signal Sa among three or more frequencies.

[0041] The notification of the test results is not limited to the above-described embodiment using sound and visible light, but may be done using various combinations of sound and visible light, or may be done using sound only, or may be done using visible light only. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10...Wiring inspection device 100…Case 110...Power switch 120...LED unit 210...Probe 215…Cable 220...Probe 225…Cable 310...Buzzer unit 320...LED unit 410...processor 420...Memory 421…Exchange Generation Program 422...Wiring Inspection Program 500…Power circuit 510…AC generation circuit 520...Voltage measurement circuit 530…Current measurement circuit

Claims

1. A wiring error inspection device for inspecting the presence or absence of wiring errors in an electric circuit, a first probe configured to be in contact with a first measurement point in the electric circuit and be electrically connected thereto; a second probe configured to be in contact with and be electrically connected to a second measurement point paired with the first measurement point in the electric circuit; an AC generating circuit that generates an AC signal to be applied to the first probe; a voltage measurement circuit that measures a voltage between the first probe and the second probe; a current measurement circuit for measuring a current flowing through the second probe; a first notification circuit that notifies the result of the wiring error inspection in the first mode; a second notification circuit that notifies the result of the faulty wiring inspection in a second manner different from the first manner; a processor; a memory for storing program instructions; Execution of the program instructions by the processor causes While the AC signal is being applied to the first probe by the AC generating circuit, a resistance value between the first measurement point and the second measurement point and the presence or absence of a phase difference between the measurement voltage and the measurement current are determined based on a measurement voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit and a measurement current measured by the current measurement circuit; When the resistance value is equal to or greater than a set value, the first notification circuit and the second notification circuit are not driven; If the resistance value is less than the set value and the phase difference does not exist, the second notification circuit is not driven, and the first notification circuit is driven to notify the result of the faulty wiring inspection in the first mode; if the resistance value is less than the set value and the phase difference exists, not driving the first notification circuit but driving the second notification circuit to notify the result of the faulty wiring inspection in the second manner; The faulty wiring inspection device, wherein the AC generating circuit periodically alternately switches the frequency of the AC signal between a first frequency and a second frequency that are different from each other while applying the AC signal to the first probe.

2. 2. The faulty wiring inspection device according to claim 1, the first notification circuit is a sound generating unit that outputs a sound in the first mode; The second notification circuit is a light-emitting unit that outputs visible light in the second mode.

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